Ego

Definition (psychology)

In Freud's view the Ego stands in between the Id and the Superego to balance our primitive needs and our moral beliefs and taboos. ("Ego" means "I" in Latin; the original German word Freud coined was "Ich".) He stated that the Ego consists of our conscious sense of self and world and a highly structured set of unconscious defenses that are central in defining both individual differences in character or personality and the symptoms and inhibitions that define the neuroses. Relying on experience, a healthy Ego provides the ability to adapt to reality and interact with the outside world in a way that accommodates both Id and Superego. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ego%2C_Superego_and_Id#The_Ego [Apr 2004]